Turkey forms Polar Regions Council to strengthen Arctic and Antarctic influence
In a significant move, Turkey has established the Polar Regions Coordination Council to strengthen its strategic presence and international position in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. This initiative aligns with Turkey’s broader 2053 vision and the National Polar Science Strategy (2023-2035), emphasizing innovation in science and technology to enhance Turkey’s influence in these geopolitically and ecologically significant regions.
The main objectives of the council include coordinating Turkey’s scientific research and activities in both polar regions, addressing the geostrategic, economic, ecological, and climatic importance of polar regions, fostering international cooperation and partnerships, supporting the implementation of the National Polar Science Strategy (2023-2035), and establishing subcommittees and working groups as needed.
The council will be chaired by the Minister of Industry and Technology and includes deputy ministers from eight key ministries: Environment, Urban Planning and Climate Change, Foreign Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources, National Defense, Agriculture and Forestry, Trade, and Transportation and Infrastructure. TÜBİTAK, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, will provide secretariat services for the council.
Representatives from universities, civil society organizations, and the private sector may also be invited to participate in meetings, reflecting an integrated government approach to polar affairs, scientific research, technological development, and strategic positioning.
The council’s establishment comes as the Arctic and Antarctic territories become more accessible and economically significant due to climate change. This move signals Turkey’s growing interest in polar affairs amid increasing international competition for influence in these regions.
The council is authorized to establish subcommittees and working groups as needed to coordinate specialized tasks and responses. It will convene annually, but the chairman can call extraordinary meetings when necessary.
The council's goals are to boost Turkey’s scientific excellence, geopolitical influence, and innovation leadership in the polar regions while addressing global climate and ecological challenges linked to these sensitive areas. This includes fostering international cooperation and partnerships, such as Turkey's bid for observer status at the Arctic Council and partnerships such as the recent MoU on polar scientific research with the UAE.
[1] Source: Official statement from the Ministry of Industry and Technology [2] Source: National Polar Science Strategy (2023-2035) [3] Source: MoU on polar scientific research between Turkey and the UAE
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- The Polar Regions Coordination Council, chaired by Turkey's Minister of Industry and Technology, has been established to strengthen Turkey's presence and international position within the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as outlined in the National Polar Science Strategy (2023-2035).
- The council's objectives encompass coordinating Turkey's scientific research, addressing geostrategic, economic, ecological, and climatic issues related to the polar regions, and fostering international cooperation and partnerships.
- Deputies from eight key ministries, including Environment, Urban Planning and Climate Change, Foreign Affairs, and Trade, will be among the council members, working in collaboration with TÜBİTAK, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey.
- Representatives from universities, civil society organizations, and the private sector may also participate, signifying an integrated approach by the Turkish government towards polar affairs, scientific research, technological development, and strategic positioning.
- As Arctic and Antarctic territories become more accessible and economically significant due to climate change, the council's establishment signals Turkey's growing interest in polar affairs and its bid for observer status at the Arctic Council, as well as partnerships such as the recent MoU on polar scientific research with the UAE.
